NFL Hall of Fame Game: Trey Lance leads Chargers to blowout win over Lions

The NFL preseason kicked off with the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, where the Los Angeles Chargers decimated the Detroit Lions in convincing fashion on Thursday night. Both teams played in Canton for the first time since the 1990s, but it was a far more enjoyable night for Chargers fans, as they watched their team cruise to a dominant 34-7 win over the Lions.

The night opened with a moment of silence honoring the four victims killed earlier in the week in a targeted shooting at the league’s headquarters in New York.



Backup quarterback Trey Lance, a former No. 3 overall pick, impressed by completing 13 of 20 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns over three quarters of play. Neither team played its starters as the game also featured the NFL's trial of a new virtual measurement system.


The night began with tributes to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 - Antonio Gates, Jared Allen, Eric Allen, and Sterling Sharpe - followed by a moment of silence for the recent tragic shooting at NFL headquarters in New York.


The Chargers got off to a fast start when Detroit fumbled the opening kickoff, leading to a quick touchdown pass from Lance to Will Dissly. Rookie cornerback Nikko Reed then intercepted Kyle Allen and returned it 60 yards, setting up a Kimani Vidal rushing score for a 14-0 lead. Tony Jefferson added another interception before the first quarter ended.


Detroit responded in the second quarter with a Craig Reynolds touchdown run, but Lance fired back with a scoring pass to rookie KeAndre Lambert-Smith. Cameron Dicker added two field goals in the third quarter to push the lead to 27-7.

Lions rookie Hendon Hooker and Chargers rookie DJ Uiagalelei saw time in the second half, but the Chargers remained in control. Vidal added a second touchdown in the fourth quarter, and Myles Purchase sealed the win with an interception of Hooker.